Corrugated Wood Board Shaping and Stabilization System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing corrugated boards struggle to maintain a corrugated shape without using additional materials like adhesives, which compromises the natural texture and aroma of wood, especially in humid environments.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a rotary cutting apparatus, corrugated-shape processing apparatus, shaping apparatus, stabilizing apparatus, and bonding apparatus that processes and stabilizes a single wood plate into a corrugated shape using heat and cooling jigs, and bonds it to a flat plate with adhesive only on protrusions, preserving the wood's natural properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a board is processed in a corrugated shape without coating or adhesive, then the natural texture and aroma of the board are preserved, but the flexural portion becomes loosened and the board gradually restores to its original straight shape, especially in humid environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreservation of natural texture and aromaVSAvoidmaintenance of corrugated shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating the board with a fixing agent before the corrugated shape fully sets, preventing the wood fibers from returning to their original state. This preliminary treatment locks in the corrugated structure before moisture or humidity can cause restoration to the straight shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by controlling moisture content, temperature, and applying fixing agents during the corrugation process. These parameter changes modify the wood fiber properties to maintain the corrugated shape without requiring full adhesive coating, thus preserving natural texture while preventing shape restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive is applied to maintain the corrugated state, then the shape stability is improved even in humid environments, but the natural texture and aroma of the board are compromised and synthetic materials must be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance of corrugated shapeVSAvoidpreservation of natural texture and aroma
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using minimal adhesive only at critical locations where shape maintenance is most needed, rather than coating the entire surface. This localized application preserves the natural texture and aroma of the board while still providing sufficient structural support to maintain the corrugated shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a minimal amount of adhesive as a temporary or localized support rather than a permanent full-surface coating. This approach uses the adhesive only where absolutely necessary to prevent shape restoration, allowing the natural wood properties to remain dominant and preservable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If plywood or separate boards attached with adhesive are used, then the corrugated state is maintained without returning to board shape in humid conditions, but additional materials beyond natural wood are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance of corrugated shapeVSAvoidutilization of natural wood properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the need for extensive adhesive usage and complex multi-layer plywood structures. Instead, it uses a simplified approach with minimal adhesive application combined with physical corrugation and fixing agent treatment, thereby maintaining shape stability while preserving the versatility and natural properties of single-piece wood.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively maintains the corrugated shape of the wood board without using external adhesives, allowing the natural texture and aroma of the wood to be utilized while providing stability against shape restoration due to moisture, resulting in a durable and aesthetically pleasing product.

Implementation Method 1

a board is fed between two heat rollers each provided in its outer periphery with asperities to be pressed and curved by the two heat rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

for processing a board in a corrugated shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the corrugated board shaped in the corrugated shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3424654B1Corrugated board manufacturing system and corrugated board manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 IMAI IND CO LTD
  • EP3424654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3424654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3424654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a system 1 of manufacturing a corrugated board, including: a corrugated-shape processing apparatus 4 for processing a board in a corrugated shape by curving the board; a shaping apparatus 5 for adjusting a corrugated board acquired by processing the board in a corrugated shape; and a stabilizing apparatus 6 for stabilizing the corrugated board being shaped in the corrugated shape, the corrugated-shape processing apparatus 4 including a first pressing jig 25 and a second pressing jig 27 each of which is in a roller-like shape provided on its surface with asperities to press a board into a corrugated board, being disposed facing each other, the shaping apparatus 5 including: a third pressing jig 45 and a fourth pressing jig 48 each of which has a surface with asperities in which a distance between adjacent apexes of the asperities is substantially identical to that of a surface with asperities of the corrugated board; and a heater 59, the stabilizing apparatus 6 including a fifth pressing jig 65 and a sixth pressing jig 68 each of which has a surface with asperities in which a distance between adjacent apexes of the asperities is substantially identical to that of a surface with asperities of the corrugated board after the heat-press process; and a cooling unit 69. As a result, a single board can be processed in a corrugated shape and a state of the corrugated shape can be maintained.